Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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MODULAR PRESENTATION SYSTEM FOR THE DISPLAY AND
SUPPORT OF GOODS AND BUILD-UP METHOD THEREFOR
Technical field
The invention pertains to a modular presentation system for the display and
support of
goods and a build-up method therefor. The system comprises floor tiles,
blocks, and
cover plates. Two floor tiles can be interconnected by placing the two floor
tiles
adjacent and subsequently mounting a connection piece in connection recesses
provided in the two floor tiles. Floor tiles, blocks, and cover plates are
configured to
clamp on top of floor tiles and blocks. The present invention allows to
quickly and
efficiently build up the modular presentation system.
Background
It is well known in the art that portable floor systems can consist of
connectable
structural elements:
= US 2002/0 108 323 discloses a portable graphic floor system;
= US 2006/0 016 136 discloses a modular floor tile system with transition
edge;
= US 2010/0 263 317 discloses a modular decking system;
= US 2015/0 361 675 discloses a synthetic modular flooring apparatus;
= US 2015/0 376 904 discloses a modular molded mat with exposable ramp
surfaces;
= US 841 998 discloses a tile flooring;
= US 5 509 244 discloses a flooring system having joinable tile elements,
particularly plastic tiles;
= US 6 233 886 discloses a floor assembly and an associated method of
making a
floor assembly; and
= US D456 533 Si discloses a modular floor tile with a diamond plate surface.
These systems are however not configured for the stacking of floor tiles.
Therefore
these systems are not configured for creating higher elements, e.g. to create
an
elevated presentation podium. The elevated presentation of products is in
commercial
environments often a desired characteristic. Users desire an elevated
presentation
podium to create a larger visual distinction with the floor.
These systems are furthermore not configured for the transit and/or stowing
away of
cables. Often a technical horizontal space is desired to stow away data- or
electricity
cables. It is often difficult to stow away cables without changing the route
of the
cables.
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The systems disclosed in US 2006/0 016 136, US 2015/0 361 675, US 2015/0 376
904, and US D456 533 Si comprise tiles comprising connecting protrusions at
their
sides. In order to hide the protrusions the edge of a modularly built floor
should then
comprise a delimiting connector to hide these protrusions.
The systems disclosed in US 2010/0 263 317, US 841 998, US 5 509 244, and US 6
233 886 comprise connection elements for interconnecting tiles. The systems
are
however not configured for the storage of connection elements. Therefore
connection
elements can easily get lost during transportation or installation of a
modular floor.
The system disclosed in US 2002/0 108 323 requires to build up and break down
the
modular floor from the sides. This severely limits the flexibility of
installation.
The use of cover plates is also well-known in the art:
= US 2008/0 118 7 03 discloses a removable surface covering for drainage;
= WO 2006/102 062 discloses a user configurable stackable display;
= DE 3 819 164 discloses a cladding panel for exterior claddings or
interior use;
= US 5 673 529 discloses a stone cladding system; and
= CN 102 947 872 discloses an enhanced non-slip floor graphics logo.
A disadvantage of the system disclosed in WO 2006/102 062 is the structural
function
of the finishing plates due to which they are difficult to change.
A disadvantage of the covers disclosed in DE 3 819 164 and US 5 673 529 is
that the
materials and construction techniques are expensive. A disadvantage of the
floor
system disclosed in CN 102 947 872 is that the insertable graphics plates are
often
expensive semi-manufactured goods.
WO 2014/122 155 discloses a construction kit with closed surfaces for building
modular displays in the field of furniture, stages and display units. The kit
comprises a
structural panel, a rib panel, a corner element, and a connecting element. A
disadvantage of the construction kit is the plurality of parts and required
interconnections. As a result of the many mechanical interconnections, a
plurality of
seams is present which causes a presentation podium to comprise a very
technical
appearance. As a result of the plurality of parts, the labor cost for
construction is
large. The enlarged flexibility also comes at the cost of a lower user
friendliness. Users
of such a presentation podium often lack a technical background and the
required time
for buildup. To build up said modular display the user requires several parts.
Building
up a volume can be realized with several profiles, several plates and several
coupling
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elements which is very labor intensive. This results in high labor costs which
is an
important objection for, for example, shop window builders.
It is well-known that presentation podia can be constructed with a combination
of
blocks. CH 699 151 discloses an attachmentless stackable furniture system with
a side
panel exchange frame. A disadvantage is the need to produce frames with a
profile.
While this achieves high flexibility, the assembled system will however
comprise a
plurality of visible seams which is perceived as visually unattractive.
EP 1 743 844 discloses a stackable crate for the storage and transportation of
goods.
Often these crates are produced with an injection molding process and they
comprise
means to stack or nest multiple crates. US 2003/0 024 845 discloses a
stackable crate
for holding and transporting products. A disadvantage of these stackable
crates is that
they comprise an open top and are therefore not suitable for placing products
on them
for display.
US 6 820 950 discloses a modular case for holding articles. EP 0 621 063
discloses a
block assembly. US 3 836 217 discloses a box-shaped furniture unit. The
buildable
systems disclosed in US 6 820 950, EP 0 621 063 or US 3 836 217 comprise a
multitude of different parts which causes the buildup to be labor intensive.
DE 20 2004 016 911 discloses a modular storage system comprising stackable
boxes
and an interchangeable top cover. The top cover is provided with strengthening
ribs.
The system is mostly used for the presentation of other products which may be
heavy.
The system furthermore does not comprise horizontal connections, due to which
it is
not possible to build up a modular system which is mechanically connected.
The present invention aims to resolve at least some of the problems mentioned
above.
Summary of the invention
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a modular presentation
system for the
display and support of goods, as provided in claim 1.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a build-up method for a
modular
presentation system for the display and support of goods, as provided in claim
14.
The present invention is advantageous for several reasons. The system and
method
are configured to quickly and efficiently build up the modular presentation
system. The
system and method are for example configured to allow adding and/or removing
central floor tiles, without displacing other floor tiles. Floor tiles can be
laid out as
desired, and without further movement of the floor tiles subsequently
interconnected
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by means of the connection pieces. As cover plates and blocks are typically
vertically
stacked on top of blocks and floor tiles, the horizontal relative movement of
two blocks
or cover plates is restricted due to the interconnected floor tiles on which
they are
stacked.
Description of figures
Figure 1 shows a floor tile (1) comprising an upstanding edge (2), a closed-
off
support surface (3), and a storage space (4) to store a clampable connection
piece.
Figure 2 shows a construction comprising four floor tiles (1) forming a
modular floor
basis (6) unit.
Figure 3 shows a modular construction (5) comprising floor tiles (1) cladded
with
cover plates (8) and comprising upstanding edges (2) with a closed-off support
surface (3) and a block (7) clampable on the upstanding edges (2) of the floor
tiles
(1).
Figure 4 shows a modular construction (5) comprising a number of floor tiles
(1)
forming a modular floor basis (6) comprising a closed-off support surface (3)
and a
number of blocks (7) comprising a closed-off support surface (3) and an
upstanding
edge (2) where more blocks (7) or cover plates (8) can clamp on.
Figure 5 shows a modular construction (5) comprising a number of floor tiles
(1)
forming a modular floor basis (6) and a number of blocks (7) comprising a
closed-off
support surface (3) and an upstanding edge (2) where more blocks (7) or cover
plates
(8) can clamp on.
Figure 6 shows a modular construction (5) comprising a number of floor tiles
(1)
cladded with cover plates (8) forming a modular floor basis (6) and a block
(7)
comprising a closed-off support surface and an upstanding edge (2) where more
blocks (7) or cover plates (8) can clamp on.
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a block (7) comprising upstanding edges
(2), a
closed-off support surface (3), and a closed-off sidewall (9).
Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a block (7) comprising closed-off
sidewalls (9),
a support point (10), strengthening ribs (11) and means (12) to clamp on
upstanding
edges.
Figure 9 shows a modular construction (5) comprising a block (7), smaller
blocks
(14) comprising upstanding edges (2), and a cover plate (8).
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Figure 10 shows a detail of a block (7) comprising a closed-off sidewall (9)
and
beveled edges (15).
Figure 11 shows a modular construction (5) comprising a block (7) comprising
upstanding edges (2).
5 Figure 12 shows a modular construction (5) comprising a block (7), smaller
blocks
(14) comprising upstanding edges (2) and means (12) to clamp on upstanding
edges
(2) and a beveled block (16).
Figure 13 shows a modular construction (5) comprising two blocks (7) and a
closed-
off support surface (3).
Figure 14 shows the bottom of a cover plate (8) comprising a closed-off
support
surface (3) and breaking edges (17) for the cover plate.
Figure 15 shows a modular construction (5) comprising a number of floor tiles
(1)
forming a modular floor basis (6) and a block (7) which can be placed at
different
locations on the modular floor basis and comprising a closed-off top surface
(3) and
upstanding edges (2) where more blocks (7) can clamp on.
Figure 16 shows a modular floor basis (6) comprising two floor tiles (1)
comprising a
closed-off top surface (3) and a clampable connection piece (18) to
interconnect floor
tiles.
Figure 17 shows a cross section of two floor tiles (1) and spaces (4) to store
a
clampable connection piece (18) and a clampface of the floor tiles (22).
Figure 18 shows a cross section of a clampable connection piece (18) to
interconnect
floor tiles, wherein the clampable connection piece comprises handles (19) to
dismount the clampable connection piece and snap hooks (20) which provide the
clamping functionality.
Figure 19 shows a clampable connection piece (18) to interconnect floor tiles
comprising handles (19) to dismount the clampable connection piece.
Figure 20 shows a perspective view of the inside of a floor tile (1)
comprising
upstanding edges (2), strengthening ribs (11), clampfaces (22), means (12) to
clamp
on upstanding edges (2) and spaces (4) to store a clampable connection piece.
Figure 21 shows a modular construction (5) comprising two floor tiles (1) and
a data
cable (23).
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Figure 22 shows a floor tile (1) and a number of support points (10) in which
a
vertical connector (24) is mounted.
Figures 23 to 27 show examples of modular constructions (5) in which floor
tiles (1),
blocks (7), and cover plates (8) together form a presentation unit.
Detailed description of the invention
The present invention concerns a modular presentation system for the display
and
support of goods and a build-up method therefor. A summary of the invention is
given
in the corresponding section. In what follows, the invention will be described
in detail,
preferred embodiments are disclosed, and the invention will be illustrated
with
examples.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention,
including technical
and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary
skill in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further
guidance, term
definitions are included to better appreciate the teaching of the present
invention.
As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:
"A", "an", and "the" as used herein refers to both singular and plural
referents unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise. By way of example, "a compartment"
refers to
one or more than one compartment.
"About" as used herein referring to a measurable value such as a parameter, an
amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of
+/-
20% or less, preferably +/-10% or less, more preferably +/-5% or less, even
more
preferably +/-1% or less, and still more preferably +/-0.1% or less of and
from the
specified value, in so far such variations are appropriate to perform in the
disclosed
invention. However, it is to be understood that the value to which the
modifier "about"
refers is itself also specifically disclosed.
"Comprise", "comprising", and "comprises" and "comprised of" as used herein
are
synonymous with "include", "including", "includes" or "contain", "containing",
"contains" and are inclusive or open-ended terms that specifies the presence
of what
follows e.g. component and do not exclude or preclude the presence of
additional,
non-recited components, features, element, members, steps, known in the art or
disclosed therein.
The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and
fractions
subsumed within that range, as well as the recited endpoints.
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The invention pertains to a construction kit and more specifically to modular
floor tiles
for the construction of an elevated modular floor basis with detachable and
interchangeable cover plates. More specifically, the invention pertains to
stackable
floor tiles and corresponding blocks which can be assembled continuously or
discretely
vertically and horizontally to a presentation podium to present products. The
main
goal of the invention is to achieve improved coupling means for creating a
construction comprising assembled floor tiles, blocks, and cover plates due to
which a
large diversity of elevated surfaces with different heights and shapes can be
made and
which effectuate an in essence seamless and uniform appearance.
Modular floor systems are used to create an artificial support surface. The
main
application of this invention is the construction of elevated surfaces and
presentation
podia comprising integrated presentation pedestals and cover plates for the
presentation of products. More specifically in shops or exposition halls, the
combination of a presentation pedestal integrated with a modular floor
provides the
possibility to create a visually uniform entirety to present products in a
sufficiently
distinctive way from the environment.
The present invention provides mutually vertically stackable floor tiles and
blocks. The
present invention provides a solution to provide sufficient height to a
presentation
surface.
Due to the universal character of the construction kit a diverse range of
presentation
surface configurations can be built in a quick and efficient way with a
minimum of
labor. The construction kit is mainly intended to create a modular floor basis
in
combination with presentation pedestals which are mainly low, preferably lower
than a
meter. The construction kit has not been devised to create open cavities
although this
goal is not entirely excluded. The main goal is to provide a presentation
surface to
present and support goods.
Presentation pedestals are block-shaped bodies which are used to present
products at
a height from the ground. The present invention provides for a construction
comprising floor tiles and presentation pedestals which are visually
integrated so that
podia with different heights can be made in a uniform visual style. The
uniform visual
style can be achieved between the floor and the presentation pedestals because
uniform shapes, materials, and cover plates can be used.
Presentation pedestals are traditionally manufactured out of a monolithic
plate
material such as wood, metal or plastic. An advantage of this construction is
low
number of seams which are visible. A disadvantage of presentation pedestals
made of
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a monolithic material is that the presentation pedestals are statically shaped
and their
form or outer finishing cannot be easily changed. In environments where
presentation
pedestals are often used such as shops, exposition halls, and musea, it is
desired to
regularly make adjustments in the size or appearance of the presentation
pedestals.
The present invention discloses a construction kit comprising floor tiles,
blocks, and
cover plates and is suitable for the construction of furniture, floors, and
presentation
pedestals. Because floor tiles and blocks as disclosed in the present
invention can be
mutually interchanged as well as combined with decorative cover plates,
different
constructions with a diverse appearance can easily be made.
The present invention is characterized in that only the floor tiles are
horizontally
connectable. The floor tiles can be horizontally magnetically or mechanically
interconnected. The floor tiles of the present invention can therefore be
vertically
stacked and horizontally interconnected. These interconnections are used to
horizontally connect modular constructions. Because only floor tiles should be
horizontally connected, the blocks of the construction kit should not be
horizontally
interconnectable, due to which the blocks comprise in essence seamless upright
sides.
A horizontal connection between blocks is made via the floor plates on which
they
clamp and the interconnections between the floor plates. Blocks can
furthermore be
mounted on floor plates at different horizontal positions.
The blocks and the floor tiles can be covered with a cover plate, as to
guarantee
uniform aesthetics over the construction. The cover plate is executed as a
plate with
upstanding surrounding edges. The cover plate allows to add adjusted
decorations or
patterns to the presentation pedestal as to cover the modular construction kit
in an
aesthetic way. The cover plate can according to the needs and desires of the
customer
be provided with the necessary decoration. The cover plates can be
transparent,
opaque or directly printed and can be quickly and easily changeable by means
of an
optional clamping means. This allows to achieve the transition between
adjacent cover
plates or with a block in an aesthetically responsible way.
The blocks and the floor tiles are preferably manufactured out of plastic with
the
advantage that they are lightweight and still comprise sufficient rigidity.
The different
parts are preferably monolithic and are manufactured according to a well-known
technique, such as injection molding.
The ground surface of the elements comprise preferably a length and a width of
40 cm
due to which the entire surface of an assembly fits within the measures of a
Europallet, which is an efficient standard for transport.
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The elements of the invention comprise preferably edges and corners which are
slightly beveled. The bevel of the edges is preferably in between 3 and 6
millimeter.
When a construction is made of different elements, the beveled edges of
adjacent
corresponding elements will be mirrored with respect to each other, which
results in
an assembled seam which comprises the visual appearance of a diamond and which
is
aesthetically pleasing for a spectator.
Optionally, the blocks comprise upright edges at the inside of the support
surface.
These round upright edges are positioned in the middle of the blocks and can
be used
for the transit of cables, the insertion of office insertables or extensions
to mount
bicycles or other products.
An important desired product characteristic of presentation pedestals is that
they
comprise a smooth surface with few seams. The blocks and cover plates as
described
in the construction kit each comprise four closed-off upright sides and a
closed-off
support surface and no means to make horizontal connections, due to which the
sides
and top have an in essence seamless appearance, due to which the elements and
constructions do not comprise a technical appearance.
An advantageous characteristic of the floor tiles is the provision of a space
in the
support surface of the floor tiles in the length and width directions to store
cables
lower than the support surface.
An advantage of the present invention is the ability to mount a clampable
connection
piece in a floor tile when it is not used.
An advantage of the present invention is that the buildup and breakdown does
not
have to start at the sides, but can, for example, start at a central floor
tile. This is
possible because the clampable connection piece approaches floor tiles from
above,
i.e. from the support surface.
An advantage of the interchangeable cover plates is that they do not comprise
a
structural function and that they therefore require less material for
production and
they are therefore cheaper to produce. A further advantage of the
interchangeable
cover plates is that they are not clamped in the construction, due to which
cover
plates can be easily replaced. Use of the present invention is characterized
in that
users often want to make adjustments after installation.
An advantage of the present invention is that the floor tiles involve a
structural
function, but that their support surface is visually covered by cover plates,
due to
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which the production of the floor tiles entails only few visual demands, due
to which,
for example, recycled materials can be used for the production of the floor
tiles.
An advantage of the cover plates in plastic manufactured with an injection
molding
process is that they are cheap to manufacture. Flat cover plates without
internal rib
5 structure with a projected surface area larger than 1500 cm2 manufactured
with
plastic in an injection molding process is very difficult. Injection molding
is a process
under high pressure due to which production pieces build up a large internal
tension
during the injection and solidification of the material. Because of this, the
cover plates
will attempt to warp after the injection molding process due to which they
become
10 unusable. An additional disadvantage of injection molding of large surfaces
is the
increasing difficulty of filling the entire mold when the cover plate becomes
thinner.
The use of different injection points for filling a thin surface may help but
has the
disadvantage that visually perceivable flow fronts form where the material
touches
during injection. The present invention is advantageous as the cover plates
comprise
upright edges and internal flow channels which render the injection molding
process
easier and result in an entirely flat cover plate.
An advantage of the present construction kit is that a block is a single
entity and does
not comprise seams at its surface. The openings in between elements are as
small as
possible for the construction comprising the elements to visually appear as a
single
entity.
An advantage of the present construction kit is that blocks are stackable but
also
comprise a closed-off support surface so that products can be placed on top of
the
blocks.
An advantage of the invention is that the construction kit comprises a few
large
volumes. The block-shaped volumes as disclosed in this invention preferably
comprise
a projected surface area larger than 35 cm length and 35 cm width, due to
which only
a few parts are required to assemble a presentation pedestal, and due to which
only
few seams will be present. For the creation of a presentation pedestal
comprising
three blocks there are only two horizontal seams visible. An advantage of the
invention is that the visible seams are divided over a regular pattern which
is
perceived as visually aesthetic.
In one or more aspects, the invention concerns:
1. A modular system, consisting of:
a. one or more floor tiles, of which each floor tile consists of a rectangular
panel comprising four identical upright sides, an upper face, and a lower
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face, whereby the upper face is in essence fully flat and closed off,
whereby the lower face is open and comprises an internal rib structure,
whereby the four upright sides narrow towards the upper edges due to
which the upper face forms an upstanding edge, whereby the lower face
is configured to clamp on the upper face of a floor tile, and whereby the
four identical upright opposite sides comprise openings for connection
elements which are configured to connect form congruent clampable
connection pieces with adjacent sides of the same structural plate;
b. one or more blocks, consisting of a rectangular panel comprising four
identical upright sides, an upper face, and a lower face, whereby the
upper face is in essence fully flat and closed off, whereby the lower face
is open and comprises an internal rib structure, whereby the four
upright sides narrow towards the upper edges due to which the upper
face forms an upstanding edge, and whereby the lower face is
configured to clamp on the upper faces of floor tiles and blocks; and
c. one or more interchangeable cover plates, consisting of a rectangular
panel comprising four identical upright sides, an in essence closed-off
and flat upper face, and an open lower face, characterized in that they
comprise a same surface area as and are clampable on the upper faces
of floor tiles and blocks.
2. A modular system as described above and characterized in that the blocks
and
floor tiles are mutually stackable.
3. A modular system as described above and characterized in that the sides of
vertically stacked floor tiles, blocks and cover plates lie in a same vertical
plane
and are bounded by this vertical plane, whereby in essence no parts deviate
horizontally from this vertical plane and thus form an in essence seamless
vertical surface.
4. A modular system as described above and characterized in that the floor
plates
in the same horizontal plane can be interconnected with a connector tool.
5. A modular system as described above and characterized in that the upright
sides of floor tiles, blocks and cover plates are in essence seamless.
6. A modular system as described above and characterized in that the upper
faces
of blocks and cover plates are in essence seamless.
7. A modular system as described above and characterized in that floor tiles
comprise employable clamping connection pieces to be able to be
interconnected horizontally.
8. A modular system as described above and characterized in that blocks, cover
plates and floor tiles are form congruent and comprise an approximately same
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projected surface area, their mutual horizontal position in a vertical stack
therefore fully fixed.
9. A modular system as described above and characterized in that blocks, cover
plates, and floor tiles comprise beveled edges, the bevel of edges preferably
in
between 3 and 6 millimeter.
10.A modular system as described above and characterized in that the upper
face
of a floor tile comprises a cross-shaped recess due to which four identical
upstanding volumes are formed.
11.A modular system as described above and characterized in that the cross-
shaped recess on the upper face of the floor tile comprises several upstanding
edges on which blocks, floor tiles and cover plates can clamp on several
horizontal positions.
12.A modular system as described above and characterized in that the cross-
shaped recess in the upper face of the floor tile provides space for the
transit of
for example cables through the entire surface.
13.A modular system as described above and characterized in that the floor
tiles
comprise a cavity in which clamping connection pieces for horizontal
connection
can be stored.
14.A modular system as described above and characterized in that connection
pieces of these floor tiles can be stored in a space provided in a floor
plate.
15.A modular system as described above and characterized in that floor tiles,
blocks and interchangeable cover plates comprise corners and edges with an
identical bevel.
16.A modular system as described above and characterized in that a cover plate
comprises a wall thickness larger than 1 millimeter and smaller than 3
millimeter.
17.A modular system as described above and characterized in that the
construction kit is manufactured in molded plastic, preferably a thin-walled
thermoplastic.
18.A modular system as described above and characterized in that the length
and
width of the lower face of a floor tile, block, and cover plate are in essence
identical.
19.A modular system as described above and characterized in that upper faces
of
floor tiles and blocks form a strong support surface.
20.A modular system as described above and characterized in that a floor tile
comprises vertical support points with a height equal to the height of the
sides,
running from the upper to the lower face, in which the vertical support points
are nestable in the upper face of the floor tile.
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21.A modular system as described above and characterized in that the length
and
width of the lower face are larger than 35 centimeters.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a modular presentation
system for the
display and support of goods. The system comprises two or more floor tiles,
one or
more blocks, one or more cover plates, and one or more connection pieces. Each
floor
tile comprises a top floor surface, floor sidewalls to support the top floor
surface, and
at least one connection recess. The floor sidewalls hereby define an open
bottom floor
face. Each block comprises a top block surface and block sidewalls to support
the top
block surface. The block sidewalls hereby define an open bottom block face.
Each
cover plate comprises a top cover surface and cover sidewalls defining an open
bottom
cover face. Each of the open bottom floor, block, and cover faces is adapted
to clamp
the corresponding sidewalls which define the open bottom face over a top floor
or
block surface. Each connection piece is configured for interconnecting two
floor tiles by
mounting the connection piece in a connection recess in each of said two floor
tiles
after placing said two floor tiles adjacent. Preferably, the connection piece
hereby
approaches the floor tiles from above, i.e. from the top floor surface. In
this case, the
connection piece and the connection recesses of said two floor tiles are
configured for
mounting the connection piece in these connection recesses via approach of the
connection piece towards the connection recesses from the top floor surfaces
of said
two floor tiles. More specifically, the connection piece and the connection
recesses of
said two floor tiles are configured for mounting the connection piece in these
connection recesses after placing said two floor tiles adjacent, via approach
of the
connection piece towards the connection recesses from the top floor surfaces
of said
two floor tiles.
This is advantageous for several reasons. The modular presentation system can
be
quickly and efficiently built up. Floor tiles can first be placed adjacent
into their desired
positions, before they are interconnected by means of a connection piece.
During this
interconnection, the floor tiles do not have to be moved anymore. Floor tiles
can be
added and/or removed without interfering with the other floor tiles. In a free
spot, a
floor tile can be placed adjacent to one or more other floor tiles, and
subsequently
connected to said one or more other floor tiles by mounting one or more
connection
pieces. A floor tile can also be removed from a floor basis, by dismounting
the
connection pieces with which it is attached, and subsequently removing the
unattached floor tile from in between the other floor tiles, without having to
move the
other floor tiles.
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Blocks and cover plates are stacked up on top of the floor tiles, typically in
a vertical
stack direction for horizontally interconnected floor tiles. Thereby, the
blocks and
cover plates can clamp on lower elements. Building up a presentation podium
with the
modular presentation kit therefore does not require the horizontal
interconnection of,
for example, adjacent blocks. The relative horizontal position of adjacent
blocks is
fixed because they are vertically directly or indirectly (via other blocks or
floor tiles)
clamped on floor tiles which are horizontally interconnected.
Floor tiles and blocks can be stacked on top of floor tiles and blocks. This
allows for,
for example, efficient transportation to a truck, storage room, or exposition
area. This
also allows the creation of presentation pedestals of various heights,
allowing to adapt
the height to one's needs. Furthermore, blocks of different height (7, 14) can
be
provided in the modular presentation system, as shown in Figure 9.
In a preferred embodiment, all open bottom faces of floor tiles, blocks, and
cover
plates comprise an in essence mutually identical common size and common shape.
Preferably, said open bottom faces are bounded by the sidewalls (9), which
provide at
the open bottom faces the means (12) to clamp on floor tiles or blocks, as
shown in
Figure 8.
In a preferred embodiment, said common shape of said open bottom faces is a
regular
convex polygon which allows for tessellation of a floor. In a more preferred
embodiment, said common shape is one of an equilateral triangle, a square, or
a
regular hexagon. With these shapes, a floor can be covered without overlaps or
gaps.
Furthermore, an equilateral triangle comprises threefold rotational symmetry,
a
square fourfold rotational symmetry, and a regular hexagon sixfold rotational
symmetry. This allows the floor tiles, blocks, and cover plates to be used in
various
orientations. Preferably, a floor tile comprises one connection recess per
sidewall. For
a square-shaped open bottom face, a floor tile preferably comprises four
connection
recesses. For a triangle-shaped open bottom face, a floor tile preferably
comprises
three connection recesses. For a hexagon-shaped open bottom face, a floor tile
preferably comprises six connection recesses. This allows to interconnect a
floor tile to
each adjacent tile.
In a preferred embodiment, a connection piece comprises snap hooks and handles
for
dismounting the connection piece. A connection recess thereby comprises a
protrusion
behind which at least one of the snap hooks can be positioned. Furthermore,
the
connection piece preferably comprises a recess for insertion of two contacting
pieces
of sidewall of adjacent floor tiles. Furthermore, the connection recesses
preferably
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comprise a width only slightly larger than the width of a connection piece.
The
connecting function of a connection piece can then be appreciated as follows:
= Two floor tiles are positioned adjacent, thereby having two contacting
sidewalls.
5 = The
recess of the connection piece is placed over two contacting pieces of
sidewall of the adjacent floor tiles, thereby prohibiting the relative
horizontal
movement of the sidewalls away from each other, i.e. in a direction
perpendicular to the contacting sidewalls.
= A snap hook is clicked behind a protrusion of a connection recess of each
of the
10 two
adjacently placed floor tiles, thereby preventing the accidental removal of a
connection piece when a pulling force is exerted on the two adjacently placed
floor tiles as to separate them in a direction perpendicular to the contacting
sidewalls, thereby further preventing the relative vertical movement of the
sidewalls as this requires to lift a snap hook over a corresponding
protrusion.
15 = As
the width of a connection piece is only slightly smaller than the width of a
corresponding recess, a mounted connection piece further prevents the relative
horizontal movement of the contacting sidewalls in a direction parallel to the
contacting sidewalls.
= For dismounting the connection piece, the handles should first be pressed
together, after which it becomes possible to lift up the connection piece away
from the recesses, because the relative positions of the snap hooks and
protrusions are no longer preventing the removal of the connection piece.
A non-limiting example of an embodiment of the connection piece is shown in
Figures
17 and 18. The connection piece (18) comprises snap hooks (20), handles (19)
for
dismounting, and a recess (21). When mounted in the connection recesses
(Figure
17), the two contacting sidewalls of which a piece is enclosed by the recess
of the
connection piece are unable to relatively move, while the snap hooks and
protrusions
prevent unwanted accidental removal of the connection piece.
In a preferred embodiment, a floor tile comprises a storage recess for the
storage of a
connection piece. In an even more preferred embodiment, a floor tile comprises
one
storage recess per connection recess. For a system comprising a square-shaped
open
bottom face, a floor tile preferably comprises four connection recesses and
four
storage recesses. For a system comprising a triangle-shaped open bottom face,
a floor
tile preferably comprises three connection recesses and three storage
recesses. For a
system comprising a hexagon-shaped open bottom face, a floor tile preferably
comprises six connection recesses and six storage recesses. Preferably, the
storage
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recess corresponding to a connection recess is placed next to the connection
recess
and inward with respect to the connection recess, i.e. towards the center of
the floor
tile. Both the connection recess and the storage recess are preferably
approachable
from above, i.e. from the top floor surface. This allows to first lay out the
floor tiles
and subsequently take out a connection piece from a storage recess and place
it in a
corresponding pair of connection recesses without having to move any of the
floor
tiles. Preferably, the storage recess comprises storage protrusions to fix a
connection
piece within a storage recess. These storage protrusions may allow clicking of
snap
hooks behind the storage protrusions. These storage protrusions may in
addition or
alternatively also effectuate a narrowing storage recess towards the bottom of
the
storage recess as to clamp a connection piece due to said narrowing.
In a preferred embodiment, a floor tile comprises a weight of at most 4 kg,
more
preferably a weight of at most 2 kg, and most preferably a weight of at most 1
kg.
Preferably, a block comprises a weight of at most 4 kg, most preferably a
weight of at
most 2 kg. Preferably, a cover comprises a weight of at most 2 kg, more
preferably at
most 1.2 kg, even more preferably at most 0.8 kg, and most preferably at most
0.4
kg. This allows for easy handling of floor tiles, blocks, and cover plates,
by, for
example, a shop window dresser.
In a preferred embodiment, each of a floor tile, a block, and a cover plate
comprises
four sidewalls defining a rectangular-shaped open bottom face comprising a
length
and a width. The lengths of the rectangular-shaped open bottom faces are in
essence
identical. The widths of the rectangular-shaped open bottom faces are in
essence
identical. Preferably, said in essence identical lengths and said in essence
identical
widths are larger than 35 centimeter, such as 36 cm, 37 cm, 38 cm, 39 cm, 40
cm, 41
cm, 42 cm, 43 cm, 44 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm, 55 cm, 60 cm, 65 cm, 70 cm, 75 cm, 80
cm, 85 cm, 90 cm, 95cm, 100 cm, 105 cm, 110 cm, 115 cm, 120 cm, or any value
in
between. Preferably, said in essence identical lengths and said in essence
identical
widths are at most 120 cm. Preferably the open-bottom faces are in essence
square-
shaped, comprising an in essence identical length and width. In a most
preferred
embodiment, said in essence identical length and width are approximately 40
cm.
This is advantageous, as the modular system then comprises large volumes,
which are
still easily manually displaceable. This allows for a quick and efficient
build-up of a
presentation podium. Rectangular- or square-shaped bottom faces are preferred
over
hexagonal- or triangular-shaped bottom faces as many exposition spaces
comprise
straight walls and in essence cuboid-shaped rooms. With rectangular- or square-
shaped bottom faces, one sidewall of the presentation podium can, but should
not
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necessarily, be placed in parallel with a wall of a room. Furthermore, with
triangular-
or hexagonal-shaped bottom faces, a built up presentation podium will have
many
visually perceivable seams, due to the necessarily corrugated sidewalls of the
presentation podium, which can be avoided when the bottom faces are
rectangular- or
square-shaped. The advantage of a square-shaped bottom face over a rectangular-
shaped bottom face is that it comprises fourfold instead of twofold rotational
symmetry. A handler which installs a presentation podium should then perform
(in
average) less rotations with a block, floor tile, or cover plate before it can
be placed.
In a preferred embodiment, the sidewalls of a block or a floor tile narrow
towards the
corresponding top surface, thereby forming an upstanding edge for clamping.
The
sidewalls preferably narrow in a stepwise way, comprising a large first
upright surface,
a small second upright surface for forming the upstanding edge, and a small
third
surface in essence perpendicular to said first and said second upright
surfaces and
interconnecting said first and said second upright surfaces. Hereby, the first
and
second upright surfaces are in essence perpendicular to the bottom face of the
block
or floor tile to which it belongs. Furthermore, the third surface is in
essence parallel to
said bottom face of the block or floor tile to which it belongs. A stack
comprising a
cover plate and one or more of a floor tile and a block then comprises stack
planes in
essence coinciding with the visible parts of the sidewalls of the components
of the
stack, i.e. the large first surfaces. The first surfaces thereby form the
sidewalls of the
stack comprising an in essence seamless appearance. A seamless appearance is
advantageous as it is visually pleasing. The presentation podium then visually
appears
as being monolithic.
In a preferred embodiment, each of a floor tile and a block comprises an
internal
strengthening rib structure and a top surface which is supportive and in
essence
closed-off. When the top surfaces of blocks and floor tiles are used for
supporting
goods, they should comprise sufficient supportive strength to support the
goods. The
strengthening rib structure effectuates this supportive strength. In an
embodiment, a
floor tile can additionally or alternatively comprise a support point in which
a vertical
connector can be mounted, whereby the mounted vertical connector extends from
the
top floor surface to the open bottom floor face. The mounted vertical
connector
thereby provides support of the top floor surface.
In a preferred embodiment, the top cover surface of a cover plate is in
essence flat
and closed-off. The cover plate serves a decorative role and not a structural
function.
The sidewalls of the cover plate thereto comprise a height configured to let
at least a
part of the top cover surface of said cover plate rest on the top surface of a
block or
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floor tile when placed over said top surface. A cover plate may be configured
to loosely
fit over a lower top surface, whereby it is supported by said top surface.
"Clamping
over" as used in this document therefore also encompasses "loosely fitting
over".
In a preferred embodiment, each of the floor tiles is a single-piece
component,
preferably manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic. In a
preferred
embodiment, each of blocks is a single-piece component, preferably
manufactured by
injection molding of a thermoplastic. In a preferred embodiment, each of the
cover
plates is a single-piece component, preferably manufactured by injection
molding of a
thermoplastic. In a preferred embodiment, each of the connection pieces is a
single-
piece component, preferably manufactured by injection molding of a
thermoplastic.
Preferably, a cover plate comprises a wall thickness larger than 1 millimeter
and
smaller than 3 millimeter. It therefore comprises a thin-walled thermoplastic.
This is
advantageous as injection molding is easy and cheap. The floor tiles, blocks,
and cover
plates are thereby in addition lightweight, i.e. easy to handle manually.
In a preferred embodiment, the modular presentation system comprises a beveled
block. The beveled block thereby comprises an in essence rectangular-shaped
flat
closed-off top bevel surface, and three bevel sidewalls. The top bevel surface
and the
three bevel sidewalls define an open bottom bevel face. One of the bevel
sidewalls is
in essence rectangular, while two of the bevel sidewalls are in essence
triangular. The
beveled block thereby forms a ramp. It can be integrated in a presentation
podium for
the quick and easy placement of large rollable equipment on the presentation
podium.
A non-limiting example of a beveled block (16) is shown in Figure 12.
In a preferred embodiment, the floor tiles, blocks, and cover plates comprise
beveled
edges. Preferably the bevel of the edges is in between 3 millimeter and 6
millimeter.
When a construction is made of different elements, the beveled edges of
adjacent
corresponding elements will be mirrored with respect to each other, which
results in
an assembled seam which comprises the visual appearance of a diamond and which
is
aesthetically pleasing for a spectator.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a build-up method for the
modular
presentation system according to the first aspect. The method comprises the
steps of:
a. providing at least two floor tiles, at least one block, and at least one
cover
plate, each of said elements comprising a top surface and sidewalls defining
an
open bottom face, said floor tiles further each comprising at least one
connection recess for interconnection;
b. providing at least one connection piece;
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c. providing an in essence flat subsurface;
d. placing two of the plurality of floor tiles adjacently on said subsurface,
said two
adjacently placed floor tiles comprising a pair of contacting sidewalls;
e. approaching said two adjacently placed floor tiles with a connection piece
in a
direction in essence perpendicular to the subsurface, thereby mounting said
connection piece in a connection recess of each of the two adjacently placed
floor tiles;
f. placing the sidewalls of a block over the top surface of a floor tile or
another
block; and
g. placing the sidewalls of a cover plate over the top surface of a floor tile
or a
block.
In a preferred embodiment of the method, a floor tile comprises a storage
recess for
storing a connection piece, and the method comprises prior to step e., and
preferably
after step d., the step of taking out said connection piece from said storage
recess.
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any features of the
first aspect of
the invention can also pertain to the second aspect of the invention, as they
are
strongly interrelated.
The invention is further described by the following non-limiting example which
further
illustrates the invention, and is not intended to, nor should it be
interpreted to, limit
the scope of the invention.
EXAMPLE
This example pertains to a particular embodiment of the invention and is not
intended
to, nor should it be interpreted to, limit the scope of the invention.
In this embodiment, all floor tiles are identical. The bottom floor face of
the floor tiles
is square-shaped, whereby the square comprises an edge of 40 cm. The floor
tiles
furthermore comprise a height of 5 cm. The upstanding edges thereby comprise a
height of 1 cm and the remainder of the sidewalls, i.e. the large first
upright surfaces,
comprise a height of 4 cm. The floor tiles comprise a cross-shaped recess
comprising a
height of 1 cm and a width of at least 1.8 cm. Each of the axes of the cross-
shaped
recess runs parallel with at least one of the edges of the square-shaped
bottom floor
face of the floor tile. The cross-shaped recess is also centered with respect
to the top
floor surface, dividing the top floor surface in four identical upstanding
volumes. The
floor tiles furthermore each comprise four connection recesses comprising a
sidewall
which is a portion of a sidewall of the floor tile. The connection recesses
are positioned
centrally with respect to the sidewall to which they correspond. Each
connection
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recess in addition has a second sidewall which it shares with a storage
recess. The
floor tiles thus each comprise four connection recesses and four storage
recesses. The
storage recesses are configured to allow placement of a connection piece so
that the
connection piece does not come higher than the height of the cross-shaped
recess.
5 The connection recesses are configured so that when they are in use, i.e.
interconnected with another connection recess by means of connection piece,
the
connection piece does not come higher than the height of the cross-shaped
recess. In
other words, when a connection piece is stored in a storage recess, it does
not hinder
cable transit as it does not protrude into the cross-shaped channel. Likewise
for the
10 connect recess: when a connection piece is mounted in a pair of connection
recesses
for interconnecting two floor tiles, it does not hinder cable transit as it
does not
protrude into the cross-shaped channels of said two floor tiles. As the cross-
shaped
recess comprises a bottom wall which lies below the top floor surface, i.e. in
between
the top floor surface and the open bottom face wall, a connection piece stored
in a
15 storage recess also does not protrude beyond the top floor surface. In
other words, a
connection piece stored in a storage recess lies fully below the top floor
surface.
In this embodiment, not all blocks should be identical. There are one, two,
three, or
more categories of identical blocks. All blocks of all categories comprise a
bottom
block face which is square-shaped, whereby the square comprises an edge of 40
cm.
20 The block categories are characterized in that the corresponding blocks
comprise a
different height per category. At least one category comprises blocks
comprising a
height of 20 cm. It is possible that the system comprises other block
categories, for
example a block category comprising blocks comprising a block height of 5, 10,
15,
25, 30, 35, or 40 cm. The upstanding edges thereby comprise again a height of
1 cm
and the remainder of the sidewalls, i.e. the large first upright surfaces,
comprise a
height equal to the height of the block lowered with this 1 cm.
In this embodiment, the bottom cover face of cover plates is square-shaped,
whereby
the square comprises an edge of 40 cm. The cover plates furthermore comprise a
height of 1.2 cm and a wall thickness of 0.2 cm. Furthermore, in this
embodiment, the
system comprises at least one cover plate for each floor tile.
In this embodiment, all connection pieces are identical. The connection pieces
comprise a height of at least 2.6 cm and at most 2.7 cm, a width (handle to
handle) of
3.5 cm when uncompressed, and a length (orthogonal to height and width,
parallel to
handle edge) of 3.5 cm.
